Last week the defensive back practiced mostly at nickel because of the likelihood Bill Bentley would miss the game at Chicago with a knee injury.

Mathis started at nickel, but then after rookie Darius Slay struggled big-time at cornerback — it seemed like Jay Cutler was targeting him on every pass — Slay got a seat on the bench and Mathis moved outside to cornerback while Don Carey moved to nickel.

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It was the secondary’s version of musical chairs. Without a veteran like Mathis it couldn’t happen.

In the win, Mathis finished with a team-high eight tackles and also had two pass defenses.

He wasn’t signed until mid-August, but has turned out to be one of the Lions’ best offseason acquisitions.

“Part of the reason we signed him, No. 1, he was in great shape and moved really well in the workout,’’ Schwartz said. “In the 2012 season he dealt with an injury pretty much the whole year, so we got a chance to see where he was physically and he was impressive in the workout. No. 2, because of his experience and his intelligence, we knew that we could plug him in to a lot of different places.’’

Bingo.

The 31-year-old Mathis can play both corner spots, nickel and dime roles; and he got some work at safety in the preseason just in case they might need him there.

“He goes out on the field and I think it is good for a young guy like Slay to be able to have a veteran like Mathis around,’’ Schwartz said. “Even though Mathis gave up some plays down the field too, he came back the very next play, bounced back and defended the ball. He never looked stressed when he was out on the field and I think that is a difference.’’

Schwartz said they still have confidence in Slay.

“He’s still made plays but he’s also had plays that he has given up. Every player is doing that same kind of thing. He is working hard, he’s got really good skills,’’ Schwartz said. “... He’s had some plays where he needs to improve on, but I still think he is ascending player and we still have confidence in him.”

Too early to talk playoffs

It was a subdued Victory Monday at the Lions practice facility and that’s how Jim Schwartz likes it.

With the big win at Chicago the Lions are alone in first place in the NFC North. This is the latest in the season they’ve been atop the division since 1999.

The Lions (6-3) are one game back of the Saints (7-2) for the second first-round bye in the playoffs.

It’s all good.

But as Schwartz cautions, there is a long way to go and it’s too early to talk about the possibility of a home playoff game.

“We’re worried about this week and, good gracious, we have enough challenges to get through practice on a Wednesday and Thursday and Friday, go over game plan and stuff like that, to start worrying about things that are two months down the road,’’ Schwartz said.

“The only way we’ll get to two months down the road is if we do a good job in the moment. I like the personality of our team when it comes to that. I know it’s exciting for fans of our team and for people around the league but honestly I think you can get side-tracked by starting to get ahead of yourself as a team,’’ Schwartz added.

Devin Taylor passes

Devin Taylor started his first game on Sunday with Ziggy Ansah out with a high ankle sprain. The rookie defensive end was on the field for about half of the defensive snaps.

“He had an impact on the game. Even though, early in the game, we weren’t making sacks on (Jay) Cutler, we had a lot of pressure, we blitzed probably more in this game than we had in the past,’’ Schwartz said. “Again, the blitzes weren’t getting home but they were having their effect, No. 1, with hits on the quarterback but No. 2, disrupting the timing of what they wanted to do.

“You saw a lot more balls in the dirt than you see from a quarterback like Jay Cutler. Devin was a part of that and every time he has gone on the field for us he has done his job,’’ Schwartz added.

Taylor, a fourth-round pick, was inactive two of the first three games this season but has gradually built up his playing time.

Owens injury not serious

Montell Owens played in his first game on Sunday after spending the first half of the season on short-term injured reserve with a knee injury
Owens, who sees time mostly on special teams, didn’t last long before he aggravated the same knee.

Schwartz said it’s a short-term injury — day-to-day or week-to-week.

About the Author

Paula Pasche is a longtime sports writer for The Oakland Press and blogs at http://oplions.blogspot.com/. Author of book, "100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." Follow on Tout and Twitter @paulapasche. Reach the author at paula.pasche@oakpress.com
or follow Paula on Twitter: @PaulaPasche.